NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY EVENING 14 AUGUST

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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COVINGTON OFFICIALS RESPOND TO BRENT SPENCE CHANGES

The City of Covington raised its voice and was heard in regards to desired changes for the Brent Spence Bridge project which originally intended to remove northbound I-75 access to the City's Fifth Street access among other concerns whenever the new bridge should be built. News arrived this week that a new design was adopted with Covington's changes in place. "Covington keeps its Fourth and Fifth Street exit from Ohio as well as new direct access to Main Street/Mainstrasse via the Clay Wade Bailey Bridge hooked on the interstate," City Commissioner Steve Frank wrote at The River City News Facebook page, calling the news a "shameless victory". "This will bring more business to Mainstrasse and allow us to put the IRS in a tower and redevelop our large riverfront. We needed the Clay Wade Bailey to enable this extra traffic. That is what the fight with Cincinnati was about over bringing their streetcar to Covington via the Clay Wade Bailey. We could have a streetcar or keep our existing Southbank Shuttle and begin plans on an exciting new riverfront."

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"Additionally, until this final word on the bridge redesign, no one we've been talking to would commit to Covington. Now there should begin to be progress on the economic front, economy willing."

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City Manager Larry Klein agreed. "I think it certainly bodes well for existing businesses and for any new business in the future, especially along the riverfront and RiverCenter," Klein said Tuesday. "For existing businesses, it didn't matter if that bridge is built in two or ten years, it means there will be a northbound exit so they don't start making decisions to move."

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Klein credits the city-wide effort to urge transportation officials on both sides of the river to consider Covington's needs. In addition to city leaders, members of Congress and the US Senate, Frankfort legislators, leaders from surrounding cities and counties, civic and neighborhood groups, the people of Covington joined in the fight. "I think that's what won the day," Klein said. 

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A celebrating City Commissioner Shawn Masters also posted on RCN's Facebook. "We are the C-O-V," he said. "It's high time we leave the negativity behind and let's start selling the hell out of this City. Onward and upward!"

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Meanwhile... The Facebook page called Build Our New Bridge Now sent out this photo today to remind folks of the congestion and the need for a new bridge NOW:

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DECISION REACHED ON HOW TO PAY FOR CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH

The Kenton County Fiscal Court deadlicked again on Tuesday morning on paying for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch center through a $6 fee on all Duke Energy bills. Following the 2-2 vote, the second time a tie locked up the fiscal court on this issue, the Judge-Executive and County Commissioners voted to assess the charge to property owners:

Property tax bills in Kenton County will go up by $85 per year to pay for a consolidated 911 emergency dispatch system, replacing the 911 fee on telephone landlines. Kenton County Fiscal Court voted Tuesday to impose the new fee in January, to replace the monthly dispatch service fee on telephone landlines, which an average of 3 to 4 percent of users have been phasing out each year.

Covington's dispatch center is slated to close around the end of this month or early September.
Full story: Cincinnati Enquirer/Cindy Schroeder  
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EXCLUSIVE
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SPECIAL ELECTION MAY BE NECESSARY TO FILL SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
A bizarre turn of events shaped the filing deadline for candidates intending to run for the Covington School Board. With three of five seats up for grabs in November, ten candidates have filed for the race. However, an eleventh candidate showed up to file but not to compete against the ten. Mark Young believes that the Denise Varney's seat, which is now open because of her resignation earlier this month but was not slated for election again until 2014, has to be filled through a special election and not an appointment as originally planned. Read the full story at the link.
Full story: The River City News 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for school boards across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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SEE ALSO: Candidates for city offices across Kenton Co Cincinnati Enquirer 
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DON'T MISS TUESDAY MORNING'S NEWS
Downtown Covington bank robbed, suspect flees, jumps from bridge to his death; Covington's outrage over Fifth Street exit scored a big change in Brent Spence plans!; Plus, on a list of bets places to live in the future, how does KY fare?

The RC News: Tuesday Morning Round-Up 

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KY REPUBLICANS QUESTION THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION

The debate over evolution versus creationism in Kentucky classrooms has arrived:

"I would hope that creationism is presented as a theory in the classroom, in a science classroom, alongside evolution," Sen. David Givens, R-Greensburg, said Tuesday in an interview.
The new requirements — college-readiness testing, end-of-course exams and more national norms — are part of Senate Bill 1, a 2009 bill developed and pushed by Senate Republicans to marry Kentucky's testing program to national standards for better comparisons of student success.
"Republicans did want the end-of-course tests tied to national norms, now they're upset because when ACT surveyed biology professors across the nation, they said students have to have a thorough knowledge of evolution to do well in college biology courses," said Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, chairman of the House Education Committee.

Full story: Herald-Leader/Linda Blackford 
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QUICKIES
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Police ID suspected Covington bank robber that jumped to his death from Clay Wade Bailey Bridge WKRC 
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Out-of-state anti-abortion activists file to run in KY elections, including the 4th Congressional race here in NKY WLWT 
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Federal judge: KY's liquor laws are unfair to grocery stores Business First 
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Gov. Beshear makes appointments to alcohol law task force, including State Rep. Dennis Keene Bluegrass Politics 
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Republican state senator expresses support for medical marijuana in Kentucky cn|2 
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Police find 150 marijuana plants in Jessamine Co WKYT 
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9 die on KY roadways last week KSP 
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KY State Police looking for teen drivers for program KSP 
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CVG adds candy store to Concourse B Business Courier 
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More reaction to the death of the Governor's Chief of Staff, including from State Senator Damon Thayer cn|2 
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Survey finds fewer affordable homes available WLWT 
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Dish Network could cut WSTR/Star 64 from your line-up; Hear from both sides: Cincinnati Enquirer 
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GM recalls big vans WPSD 
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NY harness track to buy interest in Ellis Park Herald-Leader 
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American Idol auditions to come to Bowling Green Friday WBKO 
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Tubby Smith's contract at Minnesota on par with nation's best because of his time at Kentucky FOX Sports 
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KENTUCKY HEADLINE OF THE DAY...
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Man arrested on tractor for DUI WPSD 

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/08/14/2298914/gop-lawmakers-question-standards.html#storylink=rss?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#storylink=cpy

CRACKS EMERGE IN UNIFIED COMMISSION DURING SPECIAL MEETING

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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Round two of the public meetings at City Hall to discuss its reorganization plan as recommended by Cincinnati-based consulting firm Management Partners was mostly like the first one that focused on the police and fire departments. This one, with an emphasis on code enforcement, housing, and community development, started with a presentation by the firm's Wayne Chapman who recapped some of its recommendations followed by many comments from the public, mainly in support of strengthening code enforcement, not outsourcing it as recommended. 

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But then the City Commissioners weighed in. "A huge number of people are afraid of retaliation and that's why they are not here," said Commissioner Sherry Carran, triggering gasps and outbursts from the packed Commission Chambers. "That's not easy to say but what my personal experience has been." Carran noted that she and her husband have made substantial investments in their Botany Hills neighborhood having torn down eleven troubled properties. "Outside of where we're investing not much is happening (in terms of blight in the neighborhood)." Much of Carran's ire was focused at developer Wes Bitlinger whose had a colorful exchange online with Commissioner Steve Frank who posted photos of several of Bitlinger's properties online.
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Commissioner Shawn Masters was not happy with Carran's remarks. "I want to say I am sorry to the employees who were questioned for retaliation. That pisses me off," Masters said. "I think we have some of the finest staff." He accused the City Manager and others of already having their minds made up about what to do with code enforcement. When the code enforcement director was told to cut $500,000 from his department's budget, "That by God tells you something."

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The tense turn the meeting took contrasted greatly with most meetings since Mayor Chuck Scheper was appointed to take over for Denny Bowman who resigned last September. A common refrain at commission meetings and other civic engagements is that this city commission is unified, often voting unanimously on most of the pressing issues facing Covington. That changed during Thursday night's special meeting.
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"For five years I have lived next to some of the biggest hell holes around and guess who owns them? The City of Covington!" Masters, who lives in Covington's Westside, spoke passionately for several minutes about the blighted properties and other issues. "Until we take care of our problem, how can we hold others accountable?"

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"I am offended that a city commissioner would say that our own employees would retaliate," Masters continued. "There has been a lack of communication and respect between certain people on this dais and code enforcement." The two-term, commissioner who is not seeking reelection, said that union employees were brought to the table to discuss changes in their departments but that that has not been the case for code enforcement. "If we do away with code enforcement this will be a death blow to this city."
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Masters moved on from code enforcement but was not finished with his remarks, many of which were met with applause. "While I was on vacation there were across the board raises given to every single non-union employee. Raises of $80,000 to $100,000 (total) backdated to last January." The heated words were followed with a warning. "I'm going to be letting people know exactly what is going on."
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City Manager Larry Klein explained the raises, saying these employees had gone without pay increases for three and a half years and that the 1.5% increase for one year may not even be repeated next year. "(These employees') health care plan saved the City money for a long period of time," Klein said, adding that the employees do not get overtime and are not even paid extra for their work at commission meetings. 

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"Show me someone who requested a raise," Masters barked.
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"One employee in public improvements came up a couple weeks ago and thanked me for their seventeen cents-a-week raise," Carran answered.

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Masters shot back arguing, "We can't give a merit raise because the City Manager hasn't given any evaluations yet!"

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Between the arguing on the dais and the unsolicited outbursts from the audience the room was at a tipping point of becoming out of control. Mayor Chuck Scheper began to wind the meeting with a calm conclusion. "Everyone in this room cares about this city," the mayor said. "I wish we could have a resolution soon. This is a terrible situation for folks in this world of not knowing what's going to happen."

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Asked after the meeting to elaborate on her position that code enforcement employees could potentially retaliate against those who spoke against them, Carran said she has heard of more code citations being written against targeted residents and on other occasions code enforcement breaches confidentially by revealing the sources of code complaints to the people who are cited. Former president of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative, Terry Simpson, backed up Carran saying that he personally had been revealed as the source of a code enforcement complaint on one of his neighbors.  

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NOTE: More on the substance of the meeting will be detailed in a separate article.

NEWS ROUND-UP -- TUESDAY MORNING 31 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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POLICE & FIRE RESTRUCTURING TO BE DISCUSSED

A public meeting is set for Tuesday inside Commission Chambers at City Hall on the recommendations set forth by Management Partners in regards to restructuring Covington's police and fire departments. The meeting begins tonight at 6:00PM. From the City: 

"We want to be open and transparent," said City Manager Larry Klein. "We want to hear what citizens have to say. We, like most local governments across the nation, are trying to manage limited resources while moving our community forward. Our ultimate goal is a better City of Covington. It can be done."

Management Partners issued its final report just recently titled City of Covington Organization Reviews. It can be reviewed online at the City's website,www.covingtonky.gov. The report was paid for entirely by non-City funds which were raised by Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper.

Mayor Scheper announced his C + V = G 10 Point Action Plan for the City in January, 2012, and called for independent reviews of all areas of City operations at that time.

"The V stands for Vision and we need to look outside our boundaries for 'best of class' examples to consider because more of the same will not solve the problems of today and tomorrow," said Scheper.

"Management Partners conducted an independent review of the City's operations," said Scheper. "They have extensive experience analyzing local governments."

The 143-page document is the result of a study of organizational reviews of the City's Police, Fire, Community Development, Code Enforcement, and Administration departments, as well as a review of the City's entire organizational structure.

The primary objective of the study was to determine if there are ways to reduce operations costs while maintaining or improving service quality.

There are 57 recommendations in the report. Substantial savings could be achieved if the report's recommendations were implemented, according to the study.

The River City News will have the most comprehensive coverage of the meeting.

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For background:

Unhappiness at police department reflected in survey 

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Consultants: Combine 2 firehouses, privatize ambulances 

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WANT TO FIX THE ECONOMY? FIX EDUCATION

From a column at Huffington Post:

News flash: Do you want to know the best way to solve the economic problems in America? By closing the education achievement gap. That's right. If we fix education, we will fix our economy.
(snip)For instance, our failure to close the racial achievement gap -- the disparity between the educational results between white children and their African American and Hispanic counterparts has impacted our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by at least $310 billion and as much as $525 billion. Moreover, the growing income achievement gap, the education disparity between all low-income children compared to the education attainment of children not living in poverty, has cost our GDP between $400-670 billion.
(snip)It is imperative that we start putting our kids firsts and taking ownership within our schools and communities. As a nation, to ensure that all of our kids receive a quality education, we must further eliminate the disparities between race and ethnicity, the rich and the poor, and doggedly increase the graduation rates. In addition, it is critical that we take a hard look at what is going on in our schools and in our classrooms. And at the very least immediately begin equalizing instruction, improving teacher quality, and increasing resources so our kids can go on to college and positively contribute to our economy.

Full story: Huffington Post 
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BACK TO SCHOOL KICK-OFF EVENT SET FOR SATURDAY

Help welcome back to school the students of Covington:

Covington Independent School Public Schools is hosting its first "Back-to-School Kickoff," 9:00 am - 7:00 pm on Saturday, August 4, in the Holmes High School Campus. This event replaces the readi-fests that were held at each of our schools.

By combining the readi-fests, our district will be able to offer families a one stop event to take care of all their children's back to school needs. Parents and their children will be able to enroll, pick up free school supplies and learn about community services.

We are reaching out to Covington's neighborhood associations and other organizations because we need your help with school supplies. While many of us have fond memories of back to school shopping, choosing our supplies and new clothing for the year, this is not the reality for all children.

Your donation helps ensure that all our children come back to school ready to learn. If your group would like to participate, the items listed are what we need most:

1) pencils
2) one subject notebooks
3) 2-pocket folders
4) crayons
5) pencil cases

Of course, all supplies will happily be accepted. We can pick up your donations or you can take them to the Instructional Support Center, 212 Levassor Place, behind Holmes High School by July 31. The center is not always staffed so please contact us prior to drop off so we can meet you. Please call Kay McConnell at 392-3182 to make arrangements for drop off or call Tricia Dorman at (859)912-4007 for further questions.

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GROUP: KY SCHOOLS NOT ENFORCING ANTI-BULLYING LAWS

Though Kentucky has no formal anti-bullying law, the Kentucky Equality Federation claims that existing laws serve a purpose to that end and that those laws are not being enforced by school districts:

In Clay, Grayson, Jefferson, Kenton, Lincoln, Pulaski, Whitley, and several other counties, we have received alarming reports from guidance counselors, principals, and other school district staff that they have received no briefings or information about complying with years-old Kentucky regulations regarding bullying in public schools. This lack of information is leading to a lack of enforcement of laws that are already in effect.
"These laws were written to protect students," said Kentucky Equality Federation President Joshua Koch. "We hear cries for more legislation from the public, but we know there are laws in effect already. This is an insult to the visionary legislators who have already passed excellent laws to protect Kentucky's children.
“When we confront these local school districts about their lack of enforcement, we are finding an epidemic of knowledge," Koch said. "These districts don't even know Kentucky has these laws. We have laws and continuing education requirements for a reason. They are there to allow and encourage administrative communication, but that only works when the Department of Education understands the law and communicates it to the 120 counties and their school districts. The Kentucky Department of Education should have ensured all school districts in Kentucky enforced existing school bullying laws when the legislation was passed and especially after the first suicide. 

Full story: KY Equality Federation 
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QUICKIES
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In the aftermath of damaging storms, do not let anyone "top" your trees State-Journal 
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Sen. McConnell hails the fall of old media BuzzFeed 
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Kentucky Historical Society obtains letters from 19th century that detail lives of slaves and free people in the Commonwealth press release 
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Big tips to continue for lucky Kentucky servers WLWT 
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UK Basketball head coach John Calipari is ranked third best Nation of Blue 
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DON'T MISS MONDAY EVENING'S NEWS!
Family of teen missing from Covington speaks about last week's failed search; A husband-and-wife team from Kentucky file to run for President of the United States (and VP!) together; Plus, what are Covingtonians selling on Craigslist? A coffee shop, for one thing.

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FROM THE EMERGENCY SHELTER OF NKY:

Our annual Run for Shelter will take place on Saturday, October 20th. If we can register 50 people within the next 14 days, Rachael Winters, our Director will race in a skirt! This great down hill race from the top of Devou Park helps us fund our winter season, serving all those in need of a place to go during our coldest months. Register today! 

Click Here
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VIDEO: HOLMES HIGH SCHOOL DRILL CAMP

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DO YOU EVER WALK AROUND TOWN AT NIGHT?

You should, according to this interesting piece on psychogeography:

If you can, go and walk at night in your city. Do it now, during summer. Observe the day/night contrast, discover new details about your neighbourhood, find things you like and don’t like. Use all of this as a set of tools for becoming more aware of, not only your city, but yourself, and as a catalyst to induce change for the aspects of your city that you would like to see improve. At the end of the day, this place you live in is your home. Embrace it, engage with it and change it for the better.

Full story: Urban Times

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"I'M DRUNK AS SHIT, ANYONE WANT TO GO TO ANCHOR GRILL?"

Spotted on Reddit, an apparently drunken late-night invitation that triggered some funny comments. The original post:

im drunk as shit, anyone want to go to anchor grill

Responses:

"no, no one wants to go to breakfast at 8am on a sunday with a drunk stranger. Go to sleep." "As a fellow drunk stranger who also wants breakfast... I'm also going to sleep." "As a drunk breakfast who wants a stranger... what's sleep?"

Though the guy did get some lukewarm interest:

If I had seen this, i live across the street. . . .. . . .

And:

I will be there today at 420. Metal teeth, dreads and tattoos, cant miss me.

Don't you love the internet? Read the full post: Reddit 

MAYOR, CITY MANAGER REACT TO FIRE CHIEF'S RETIREMENT

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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Chief Chuck Norris of the Covington Fire Department will retire at the end of July (Click the link for an exclusive interview with Norris: Chief Chuck Norris Talks of His Retirement from Covington FD) and today Mayor Chuck Scheper and City Manager Larry Klein react to the news. From a press release:

Fire Chief Chuck Norris has announced he is going to retire effective July 31, 2012. Norris, 51, has served as Covington's Fire Chief since August 1, 2011. He began his fire career with the Covington Fire Department August 20, 1984.

Over the years, he served as a firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Captain, Fire Inspector, Assistant Fire Chief, and finally, as Fire Chief. He was also named interim Public Works Director in 2008. And, he was Acting Fire Chief in 2005, and 2010-11.

"I have enjoyed my time with the City of Covington," said Norris. "I have enjoyed the relationships I have been able to develop with my fellow firefighters, the community, fire, law enforcement and elected officials over the years."

"The City of Covington and our Fire Department are greatly indebted to Chief Norris for his 28 years of outstanding and unparalleled service to the community," said City Manager Larry Klein.

"He will be greatly missed, and leaves an indelible mark of excellence in public service to this community as his legacy."

Norris said he has no immediate plans, and he will be exploring his professional options.

"I am sorry to see him leave," said Mayor Chuck Scheper. "I enjoyed working with him in my brief tenure here. Chief Norris has been a dedicated firefighter for our City. We are losing a good man."

"I want to thank my family, friends and colleagues for their support over these many years," said Norris. "I want to say our Covington firefighters are second to none."

"I have had a good working relationship with Mayor Scheper, the commissioners, and City Manager Larry Klein," he said. "I want to thank them for their support."

Chuck Norris

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT ON COVINGTON REORGANIZATION PLAN

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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The City of Covington has scheduled its public input sessions for the discussion of the Management Partners review of each department at City Hall and how they recommend the City reorganize itself. 

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From a news release:

The City of Covington will host public meetings to gather input about the recentlyreleased Management Partners report.

Representatives of Management Partners, Inc. have been meeting with City department heads and employees, gathering information, studying the City's processes and procedures, and have made recommendations based on their review.

The Police and Fire department reports and recommendations will be discussed at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012.

The Community Development and Code Enforcement departments will be discussed at 6:00 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2012.

The hearings will be at the Commission Chamber on the first floor of City Hall, 638 Madison Avenue.

"We want to be open and transparent," said City Manager Larry Klein. "We want to hear what citizens have to say. We, like most local governments across the nation, are trying to manage limited resources while moving our community forward. Our ultimate goal is a better City of Covington. It can be done."

Management Partners issued its final report just recently titled City of Covington Organization Reviews. It can be reviewed online at the City's website,www.covingtonky.gov. The report was paid for entirely by non-City funds which were raised by Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper.

Mayor Scheper announced his C + V = G 10 Point Action Plan for the City in January, 2012, and called for independent reviews of all areas of City operations at that time.

"The V stands for Vision and we need to look outside our boundaries for 'best of class' examples to consider because more of the same will not solve the problems of today and tomorrow," said Scheper.

"Management Partners conducted an independent review of the City's operations," said Scheper. "They have extensive experience analyzing local governments."

The 143-page document is the result of a study of organizational reviews of the City's Police, Fire, Community Development, Code Enforcement, and Administration departments, as well as a review of the City's entire organizational structure.

The primary objective of the study was to determine if there are ways to reduce operations costs while maintaining or improving service quality.

There are 57 recommendations in the report. Substantial savings could be achieved if the report's recommendations were implemented, according to the study.

Former Cincinnati City Manager Jerry Newfarmer founded Management Partners in 1994. Newfarmer was instrumental in guiding the Covington study. Assisting in the report was Wayne Chapman who is a former city manager of several cities, including Aspen, Colorado.

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What's in the report? Check the links below for full coverage.
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UNHAPPINESS AT POLICE DEPARTMENT REFLECTED IN SURVEY

A survey of employees within the Covington Police Department finds a majority that believe politics play a too big a role in decision-making and that morale is, for the most part, low. Full details at the link.
The River City News 
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CONSULTANTS: COMBINE 2 FIREHOUSE, PRIVATIZE AMBULANCES
Shutting down the firehouse in South Covington is worth looking into, according to a consulting firm. Trouble is, even they conclude that response time would be greatly increased by using services from Taylor Mill or Independence. Management Partners' suggested changes for Covington's Fire Department, at the link.

The River City News 

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REPORT: REDEVELOPING COVINGTON WILL TAKE PUBLIC/PRIVATE WORK

"The City government does not have the personnel and financial resources to develop the City; private/public partnership is essential." Plans to redevelop Downtown Covington cannot be done by the City alone according to an outside consulting firm. Click the link for the full story.

The River City News 

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REPORT: CREATE HOUSING STRATEGY, CHANGE CODE ENFORCEMENT

If the City and the Housing Authority cannot improve their working relationship, the Housing Authority should go away, according to a consulting firm. Also, regarding code enforcement, "No one wants to develop in a rundown area," the report says. Click the link for the full story.The River City News  

REPORT: REDEVELOPING COVINGTON WILL REQUIRE PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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"The City government does not have the personnel and financial resources to develop the City; private/public partnership is essential," writes the Management Partners team in its report that the Cincinnati-based consulting firm was contracted to produce after reviewing the operations of every department within the City. The firm recommends that the City give preference to funding the staffing and program of the Urban Partnership, an entity created by the Covington Business Council, over its own agencies and programs. In fact, Management Partners recommends a complete overhaul of the community development department, the director of which, Jackson Kinney, resigned last month.
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Because City Manager Larry Klein has too many department heads reporting directly to him, according to the firm, it is recommended that the City bring on a second assistant city manager that would oversee the newly envisioned department that would encompass community development, code enforcement, parks & recreation, and Section-8 housing. "Our recommendations are based, in part, in the reality that Covington does not possess the resources to solely implement the aggressive redevelopment initiatives set forth in the Covington Center City Redevelopment Plan," the report notes.
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It continues, "Currently community development, Section 8 and code enforcement functions are organized and staffed as separate departments. While the programs of the departments are distinct, they are also complementary. Creating a consolidated department to address planning, economic and community development will allow for better coordination and leveraging of limited City resources."
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Organizational restructuring
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The City Manager has thirteen department heads or supervisors directly reporting to him and Management Partners says that is too many and recommends that seven direct reports would be more in line with effective management strategies. While a new assistant city manager would oversee the newly redesigned Development Department, a second assistant city manager would oversee administration issues. One recommendation is for the human resources director to report directly to the assistant city manager of administration instead of directly to the City Manager. This assistant city manager would also serve as the communication officer for City Hall, streamlining its communication efforts with the public and the media.
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Additionally, the position of City Ombudsman would be moved out of the City Manager's office and into this new Development Department, which would be divided into residential and commercial development units. Currently, the ombudsman handles business retention and barrier removal issues in addition to serving as a liaison to community and neighborhood groups. Management Partners contends, however, that business retention and barrier removal should require the position's full-time attention and that the task of communicating with community and neighborhood groups should be outsourced to the Center for Great Neighborhoods.
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Other recommendations:
-Transfer the planning & preservation specialist and the zoning specialist to the residential development division
-Transfer neighborhoods, parks & recreation staff to the commercial development division

SCHOOLS CHOOSE SHERIFFS OVER COVINGTON PD TO SAVE MONEY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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FACEBOOK: The River City News

@theRCnews on Twitter  

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by Michael Monks 

Email Michael

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When students return to Covington Independent Public Schools in August, they will not see Covington Police officers serving the district. Instead, the Covington School Board voted to accept a bid from the Kenton County Sheriff's Office to provide for school resource officers. SROs have been provided by Covington Police since the 2002-03 school year when the program was first implemented through a federal grant. The change is an unexpected hit to Covington's budget in the amount of $150,000, but that fiscal hole may already be more than accounted for with the retirement of two officers Tuesday night, according to City Manager Larry Klein, who explained that those positions will not be filled.

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The school board's decision was based on saving money. Covington offered to provide three officers at a cost between $200-$225,000 annually while the sheriff's office offered the same at $118,500. "I feel for those (Covington) officers because they've been very committed to the district and the kids and staff, but it was in no way a quality of service issue," said Ken Kippenbrock, Director of Pupil Personnel at CIPS, and a former Covington Police officer who was the first SRO assigned to the district. "To be able to save just shy of a hundred thousand dollars, it was just too much for the Board not to do that and we're grateful to the Sheriff's office for agreeing to work with us. They are not benefiting from this in any way financially."

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The huge difference in the amount for each department's bids is at least partially the result of a clause in the contract between the City and the Fraternal Order of Police which forbids the hiring of any part-time police officers. Any Covington officer working as a school resource officer is a full-time employee of the city with a salary, health care benefits, and a pension contribution. The sheriff's office, on the other hand, can employ retired officers to work 1,200 hours per year at six hours and forty-five minutes a day for 177 days. That makes those officers exempt from hazardous duty pension contributions and health care costs.

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Kippenbrock explained that a school resource officer's day is broken into thirds. After being trained by the National Association of School Resource Officers, an SRO spends a third of his or her time in a classroom talking about the law or government, or teaching subject-specific police-related material. Another third of the day is spent counseling students who may be vulnerable to criminal activity. The other third is spent performing traditional law enforcement duties on campus. The Covington School Board is expected to approve the specifics of the contract between the district and the sheriff's office at its next meeting, July 26.

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On the upside for Covington, there will be more police officers on the street. "Our goal is to put more of a police presence out in the public, so we'll redeploy them to the neighborhoods," said Chief of Police Spike Jones. "We certainly enjoyed being able to provide services and the interaction between us and the students." Additionally, when Covington's 911 emergency dispatch center closes later this year, two officers assigned there full-time will also return to patrolling the streets, according to City Manager Klein.

COMMISSION RECAP: 10 JULY

THE RIVER CITY NEWS MORE COVINGTON NEWS THAN ANY OTHER SOURCE

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by Michael Monks 

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The Covington City Commission convened for its regular legislative meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2012. Here is what went down"

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Facade grants for Lewisburg for when new bridge is built

The Commission unanimously approved authorizing the mayor to enter a memorandum of agreement between the City of Covington, the federal highway administration, and the Kentucky state historic preservation officers with concurrence by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet regarding the adverse effects expected to hit the Lewisburg neighborhood when the Brent Spence Bridge project begins construction. City Manager Larry Klein explained that $420,000 will be placed into a fund for facade grants to be used specifically in that neighborhood to counter the adverse effects, though it could be several years before construction on the new bridge begins. The agreement is good for ten years and has a clause that it can be revisited at the time of its expiration. Mitigating the effects to Lewisburg was one of Covington's top concerns as a final design for the new bridge is selected. "This helps strengthen the neighborhood by reinvesting in it," Klein said.

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Backhoe trailer involved in accident to be sold

The trailer that flipped over with a backhoe on it (and a city employee inside the backhoe) will be sold as surplus property. (SEE: Employee pulled from backhoe that flipped in Devou Park) "This is way to get some salvage out of the damaged piece of equipment," Klein explained.

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Two Covington Police officers retire

Dennis Wesseler and Dennis Sparks each started at the Covington Police Department in 1990 and now they leave together, each having his retirement approved by the city commission. Wesseler arrived in Covington from Cold Spring's police department. Chief Spike Jones said Wesseler was a "rock star" in South Covington. "He has a huge following out there," Jones said. 

Dennis Wesseler

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Sparks arrived in Covington fresh off the mission in Panama that helped bring down former dictator Manuel Noriega. He won two life-saving awards in Covington and was described by Chief Jones as the best administrative lieutenant the department has ever had. "I came here tonight to be honored but it's been my honor serving the citizens of Covington and this is very hard for me," Sparks said.

Dennis Sparks

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OTHER NOTES: 

• The City will purchase a new Caterpillar steer loader in the amount of $74,645 as the current one is four years past its shelf life according to city engineer Tom Logan. Half the cost will be paid for through the Devou Trust Fund, a fifth from the Drees Pavilion allocation for equipment, a tenth from the Devou Trust for tree removal, and a fifth from the City's capital improvements fund. Half the time, the new piece will be used in Devou Park where it will play a major role in combating invasive species, as it also will along the Licking River Greenway & Trails when being used by the Cuty for other purposes the other half of the time.
• The Covington Human Rights Commission presented a framed certificate to the City Commission thanking them for extending health care benefits to same-sex partners of City employees.
• The asset forfeiture fund at the Covington Police Department will pay for $85,500 worth of new laptops for the department
• The contract of Dr. Paul Spellman was renewed for services for the Covington Fire Department.
• Guidelines were approved for the City's home buyer assistance program. $139,000 is available in individual opportunities to have $5,000 put toward lender-required down payments.
• Eight firefighters, two EMS workers, and two police officers were given pay increases.
• Jennifer Stein of Kenton Hills was appointed to the Devou park advisory committee.

New mural for Latonia to be hung in school

Artist Tammy Stephens, well known for her work on the popular mural in Helentown, showed off a new mural for Latonia. Though much smaller in scale compared to the one in Helentown, it was created in the same spirit by bringing together local children to help. Much of the work was done during the Latonia children's festival. It will be displayed at Latonia Elementary.